FAQ & Policies
General
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Pet-Friendly Turf: Our outdoor play areas feature PetGrass® Classic Generation 6, a dog-friendly artificial turf with rapid drainage, antimicrobial properties, durability, and paw-friendly comfort. This ensures a clean, fresh-smelling, and bacteria-free playground.
Secure Fencing: Our yard is enclosed with 8-foot-tall fencing for safety, along with 6-foot sections in certain areas. Coyote rollers add an extra layer of security, preventing jumping or climbing attempts. No-dig security fencing at the base keeps everyone safe and sound.
Fresh Air HVAC: To maintain a healthy atmosphere, we've invested in a fresh air HVAC system, exchanging the air in our building multiple times every hour. This significant measure, combined with daily cleaning, promotes a germ-free environment for your dog's well-being.
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We must have veterinarian documentation on file in the PetExec, client portal. All vaccinations must be current and it is the dog owner’s responsibility to maintain these records. We will send email reminders when vaccinations are becoming due as well. See the PetExec Instructional Guide for help.
Puppies must have received all rounds of each required vaccination prior to entering our facility. This requirement is in place to prevent illness as your puppy’s immune system is still developing.
Required vaccinations include:
Rabies (required by Illinois law to be administered every 1 to 3 years)
Bordetella (also known as “kennel cough”). Either an injectable or intranasal Bordetella vaccine every 12 months. The oral Bordetella vaccination is only accepted if given within the last 6 months.
Distemper (titers tests accepted on dogs over 2 years old and must be retested every year)
Canine Influenza (H3N2 is required though we recommend H3N8 for more protection). It is important to note that this vaccination comes in two rounds with the second administration occurring 2-3 weeks after the initial injection. For puppies, both shots must be received prior to their first visit. For adult dogs who have already received this vaccine in the past, your dog may still attend after receiving the first round and while they await their next round.
Leptospirosis is recommended for any dog who may be exposed to infection. Protection lasts approximately one year, so annual booster vaccines should be part of your dog's yearly wellness visit.
Fecal Test An intestinal parasite test must be provided every six (6) months.
Learn more about vaccines here.
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Reqquirements include rabies and distemper vaccines, flea and tick free and in good health.
GDCo Membership
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You will need to create a new owner account through our member portal with PetExec here. All our scheduling and services are handled through the secure member portal.
All waivers and vaccine records will be uploaded through the portal.
View the PetExec Instructional Guide for help.
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Because we are an enrichment-based daycare, we spend all day with the dogs making sure they are happy, safe and well-adjusted. For this reason, we ask that you schedule tours and evaluation days in advance so that we may have an additional staff member present to work with you and your pet(s). We don’t want you to feel rushed if you have questions, or do we want to leave our group players unattended. Tours may be scheduled on Saturdays from 12-2pm.
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We know you have many options when choosing a pet care facility for your loved one. At Good Dog co, we work hard to create and maintain a safe environment for our guests and in order to accomplish this we require that all new customers come in for the compatibility evaluation prior to daycare and boarding.
Evaluations are held beginning at 11am and ending at 2pm, by appointment only Monday through Friday. During this time, we assess your dog's social interactions with other dogs, handlers, observe their comfort in kennel runs or crates, and ensure they settle well. Our goal is to provide a safe and enjoyable environment, and your dog's unique needs guide our approach.
Upon arrival, your dog will experience personalized 1:1 time in our sensory yard, allowing them to decompress and adjust to the new environment at their own pace. This individual attention, free from distractions, pressure, or excitement, helps your dog feel secure and build confidence for upcoming introductions to new dogs.
Cost: $45
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We recommend setting up weekly Standing Reservations for your dog to ensure a consistent routine and positive interactions with their pack mates. While we understand this may not suit every family, please note that without a Standing Reservation, we cannot guarantee a reserved spot. In the absence of a reservation, we'll do our best to find an available alternative day. Clients with an ongoing Standing Reservation are considered “Members” and are eligible to receive Boarding discounts. Should you decide to cancel your Standing Reservation, your dog may still be accepted for other services such as Grooming and/or Boarding. In this case, Member discount pricing is not applicable.
To prioritize your dog's well-being, we require weekly visits for a minimum of one month, or five consistent visits, following a Compatibility Evaluation.
Reservations are always required, even with pre-paid packages.
Daycare & Montessori
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Scheduled Rest for Every Dog:
At Good Dog Co., we prioritize the well-being and comfort of your dog. To ensure a positive and safe environment, we aim to provide at least a two hour long nap for every dog in our daycare, both on weekdays and weekends.
Importance of Naps:
Similar to how young children take breaks at preschool, dogs benefit from regular naps to recharge. Fatigue in dogs can lead to reactivity and potential injuries to your dog, other dogs, or our staff members. Additionally, regular naps contribute to the overall health, well-being, and stress management of your beloved pet.
Customized Nap Approach:
Understanding that individual dogs have varying needs, some may require more than one nap. Our experienced staff, with a keen eye for your dog's behavior, will determine if additional rest is necessary, providing personalized attention.
Structured System for Nap Duration:
Rest assured, our daycare operates on a well-structured system to ensure that no dog spends too much time in a nap. The duration of the nap is dependent on your arrival time, and our goal is to strike a balance between play and rest, tailored to your dog's specific requirements.
Promoting a balanced and comfortable experience for your dog is at the heart of our daycare practices at Good Dog Co. If you have any inquiries or specific requests regarding your dog's nap schedule, feel free to communicate with our attentive staff.
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Ability to Utilize Boarding Suite:
Dogs in group play must be capable of being placed in a boarding suite. Naps are provided, and there may be instances where a dog needs to be temporarily removed from play due to feeling overwhelmed, tired, or reactive. In such cases, the dog is accommodated in a boarding suite. Therefore, dogs unable to be placed in a suite cannot participate in group play. Our structured system ensures appropriate suite durations, and if a dog is deemed unsuitable for further group play, you will be informed, providing options for continued stay or early pickup.
Behavior Guidelines:
Dogs engaging in group play must not display overly aggressive or rough behavior. While occasional signs of aggression are normal, our staff will assess and address any behavior that goes beyond acceptable limits, such as fighting, snapping, or biting. We generally follow a "three-strikes" rule, but severe incidents may result in a dog being unable to continue group play.
Controlled Excitement and No Negative Play Patterns:
Dogs participating in group play must avoid overly excitable behavior, excessive humping, or actions that could lead to fights. Our staff determines acceptable play levels, providing break time to settle down. Persistent negative patterns may require a decision on continued participation to maintain a safe environment.
Non-aggressive Towards Humans:
Dogs in our care must not exhibit a pattern of snapping at or attempting to bite humans. This is crucial for the safety of our staff, and persistent aggressive behavior towards humans may result in the dog being unable to use our services.
Females in Heat:
For the comfort and safety of all dogs, females in heat are not permitted in our facility to avoid potential conflicts among male dogs.
Poop-Eaters:
Dogs engaging in group play must not exhibit the behavior of consuming feces. This can lead to health issues, including the contagious illness giardia. If staff identifies your dog to have this issue, prompt action is required, possibly involving training, dietary changes, a vet visit or possible dismissal from group play.
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Cancellations within 24 hours of the scheduled reservation are subject to a full charge. This policy is in place as we reserve a space specifically for your dog, and late cancellations may prevent dogs on our waitlist from attending. Additionally, no-shows to a daycare reservation will result in a full charge of the scheduled service.
Training
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Prices are subject to change without notice.
Payment in full is due when you register for a class.
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Our classes are usually made up of 4-6 dog and handler teams. We’ll set up a station for you inside our temperature controlled room in our Daycare center with chairs, a cot on the floor for your pup, and a water bowl. Each dog/handler station is spaced out around the area, so everyone will have enough room to work. The Daycare center is surrounded by fenced in play yards, so you can take breaks with your dog whenever needed. Restrooms are available for the human half of your team.
Most of our classes are indoors only, but some of them use areas of our property like our play yards or garden when the weather is nice, so dress appropriately!
Please feel free to arrive 5 minutes before your class time so you can choose a station and get settled in. We often have classes and lessons in the building prior to and after classes, so please keep arrival and departure times as close to scheduled as possible. If you’d like to speak with your instructor in more detail about class, please let them know and they can set up a convenient time with you.
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We do not allow any aversive tools at our training classes, so please no choke chains, shock collars, prong or pinch collars, “shake cans”, squirt bottles, etc.
We also do not permit any aversive methods such as hitting, kicking, yelling, “leash corrections”, hanging on leash, squirting, or “Pet Corrector”.
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In the event you need to cancel, your payment is non-refundable but transferable until 72 hours before your first scheduled class. Within 72 hours of class, your payment is non-refundable and non-transferable.
Most classes require a minimum of 4 dogs for class to take place. In the event that you are signed up for a class with fewer than the minimum required dogs, class may be delayed or canceled. If Good Dog Co cancels a class you will be refunded the entire amount or you may choose to transfer your money to another class or service.
Weather related cancellations
Because of inclement weather, we sometimes have to cancel class. If a session is canceled, trainers will contact you approximately two hours before the class and an additional session will be added.
Health Requirements
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For the safety of all our customers, dogs must not exhibit contagious ailments, including but not limited to:
· Upper respiratory illness (e.g., canine cough, canine influenza)
· Stomach virus/vomiting
· Giardia
· Worms or parasites
· CPV (mouth warts)
· Fleas or ticks
Dogs with these conditions require a note from the vet and/or a screening evaluation from our staff before returning to play areas. If a dog shows typical symptoms (e.g., coughing), we assume it has a contagious condition.
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Dogs entering group play must be spayed or neutered if seven months or older. This practice is an industry standard nationwide, promoting the safety of your dog, our staff, and other customers' dogs. Even if your puppy is not aggressive, intact dogs may provoke reactions in others, leading to aggression and potential fights.
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Dogs must be at least three months old to participate in daycare or boarding. This ensures they have learned basic skills and behaviors from their mother and are of a size to confidently engage in play groups.
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Dogs in group play must be free of injuries, open wounds, sedatives, stitches, or bandages. The presence of any of these conditions poses a risk to the dog's health and well-being. Stitches or bandages could come off easily, injuries could worsen, and open wounds could lead to infections. All dogs must also be flea and tick free, as well as in good health. We prioritize the safety and health of your dog, and our professionals will not permit dogs with these conditions to participate in group play.
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We cannot have dogs in play who have recently received any medicine that goes onto their skin or coat, as another dog could lick it. This could cause the other dog to feel sick, or even experience a chemical burn on its lips or tongue. If you need to give your dog medicine that is applied to its skin, it must be done so at least three days before coming here so it has time to absorb. If we notice medicine on a dog's fur or skin, we would need to rinse it off immediately or remove the dog from play.
Adhering to these health requirements ensures a secure and enjoyable environment for all dogs at GDCo.
Boarding
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Big, small, active or calm, we’ll match your pup with the pack that’s best for them. Throughout the day they will enjoy social settings to play freely with other dogs, calm and comfy spaces to rest and lots of love and affection from our staff.
GDCo offers a variety of room types, kennels, cots and crates, all complete with comfortable bedding that is changed out daily for rest periods when your pup isn’t active in a play session or eating.
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Meals are served twice a day at 7am and 5pm, lunch can be served if your dog requires it. If a dog does not eat a meal, we will serve it at the next scheduled meal time (breakfast, lunch or dinner).
Fresh water is available in clean water bowls at all times.
All meals should be pre-measured, in separate bags, to ensure that your pet has enough for their entire stay. Please bring one extra bag in the event your trip is unexpectedly extended. We are happy to return empty plastic bags for reuse, just let our Client Service Specialist know upon check-in.
If you are unable to pre-measure by meal, we ask that you do not bring a large bag of dog food, but instead put the kibble in a smaller bag or container with your dog’s name on it.
We offer ‘house food’ which is reserved for unexpected boarding reservations and boarding extensions, or if the owner provided food runs out before the end of your dog’s stay. In the event that your dog needs to be fed house food, a GDCo team member will contact you to determine which house food option best matches your dog’s current diet, to reduce the chances of an upset stomach.
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Social play groups begin at 7am and end at 7pm, with scheduled rest times throughout the day for meals. All dogs receive engagement both indoors and outside throughout the day.
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We ask that for the safety of our canine overnight guests we cannot accept blankets, food bowls, rawhide, bully sticks or chew treats that may be a choking hazard. We have slow feeders, raised bowls, plush blankets, cots, beds, toys and more
Should you decide to bring a dog bed, please label it with your dog’s name.
Although we always try our best to return all of your belongings after your dog’s stay, we ask that you please leave keepsakes, breakable items, irreplaceable belongings and storage containers at home. Four Paws is not responsible for lost or broken belongings.
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We are able to administer medications between 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. daily.
Please note, we are not able to administer insulin injections and therefore are unable to board diabetic pets.
If your dog takes medications, make sure they are clearly marked with their names, the type of medications, the dosage, and the conditions that your dog has, as well as why he/she is on medication.
Please inform the staff what time of day the medication is usually given. Please notate any health concerns or signs we need to look for.
For those pets who will not easily take their medications, we use various methods/food items to entice them. However, we will not jeopardize the safety of our staff to force a pet to take their medication and/or cooperate with giving eye/ear drops. If your pet‘s health is dependent upon receiving medications, and they are shy/skittish or aggressive, we suggest boarding them in a veterinary office where you can be assured they receive the necessary medical attention.
Pills and ear/eye drops for cooperative animals are administered at no additional charge.
If your pet needs more extensive attention to administer medications (i.e. bandage changing, daily maintenance for chronic conditions, etc.) please contact us to discuss your pet's needs and determine if there will be an additional charge.
We enjoy having your pet stay with us and are happy to administer medications. However, we want you to be aware of limitations and conflicts that can occur when boarding and your pet may not take their medication the same way that they do at home. Due to this, please do not put medication in your baggies of food. We prefer to administer them individually to ensure they are consumed.
If you have any questions about your pet being given medications during these hours or any other health concerns, please contact our office (630-376-6372) prior to making a reservation to discuss in more detail.
Bathing
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We offer baths, nail trims, and ear cleanings.
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All dogs should get bathed on a 4–8-week schedule.
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We only take dogs.
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Send us an email at info@gooddoglombard.com and our staff will help get you scheduled.
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A bath typically takes about an hour.
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Yes, we require rabies, Bordetella, and DHLPP (or DAPP). Records must be sent in prior to the day of your appointment.
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Unless it is a prescription shampoo, we do not allow dogs to bring their own products. We have a variety of unscented hypoallergenic products if your dog has sensitive skin.
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Yes, please see our add on menu for bathing services and pricing here.
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This specific process falls within the realm of veterinary care. Situated near the rectum, these glands emit a scent crucial for animal communication. While many dogs naturally release these glands during bowel movements or by marking their territory through scooting, licking, or biting, we've observed that manual expression by groomers can compromise the natural musculature. This may hinder a dog's ability to express these glands independently, potentially resulting in discomfort, infections, or even ruptures.